Swisher County Bios

Carolyn Griffith
County Coordinator

Elaine Stone
Co-Coordinator

Ancestors and Descendants of

James Gibson SWISHER

for whom Swisher county was named

The following information is listed in alphabetical order (first name):

SWISHER, Annie

Annie SWISHER married Richard Newton LANE. Relationship to James Gibson SWISHER unknown at this time.

SWISHER, Henry

Henry SWISHER married Annie GIBSON. Relationship to James Gibson SWISHER unknown at this time. Henry could be James Gibson SWISHER's father (which would probably be the reason Gibson is his middle name - for his mother).

SWISHER, James Gibson

James Gibson SWISHER was born in 1794 in Tennessee. His wife is unknown at this time, but it is known that he had a son named John Milton SWISHER, born 1819 in Tennessee. James had served in the War of 1812, the Tennessee Militia and the United States Mounted Rangers. He came to Texas in 1833 settled for a few months in Milam County, and then moved on to Washington County. James was Captain of a company of volunteers and fought for Texas independence. He was one of four men who, on Dec. 11, 1835, met to arrange the terms of the Mexican surrender and also one of four delegates from Washington Municipality to the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos. There he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. Because of his accomplishments, Swisher County, Texas was named for him. There are several memorials throughout the county, including one outside the courthouse and a photograph at the Swisher County Museum. The photograph at the museum, however, is said to NOT be James Gibson SWISHER. It is speculated that it might be John Milton, and I will post as soon as I find out. James and his family moved to Austin when it was named Texas state capitol and lived there until he died in 1864.

SWISHER, John Milton

John Milton SWISHER was born in 1819 in Tennessee to James Gibson SWISHER. His wife is unknown at this time. John joined Houston's army and fought in the Battle of San Jacinto. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Republic of Texas and was Texas' first auditor. John died in Austin, Texas in 1891.

SWISHER, Mary

Mary SWISHER married someone with the last name SAYLOR. Relationship to James Gibson SWISHER unknown at this time.

SOURCE: At the Swisher County Museum there is a pamphlet called THE SWISHER MEMOIRS by Col. John M. Swisher. The memoirs were published by John M. Swisher's niece, Mrs. Annie Lane Blocker.

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